~2008-2009~"What Are My Chances/Where Should I Apply/What Should I Do" Thread

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*sigh* I've decided that I'm going to transfer next year. My grades have not been good. Mentally, I don't feel good there. What I mean is that my confidence in my academic ability has dropped since being there. Now I need someone to be honest with me. Given the following:
-My GPA has gone from 2.97 to 2.19 to 1.97 in three semesters
-I have an F in Chemistry I (no one taught me about dropping and W's) and retook it and got a D (because of the final)

What do I have to do now to make it to medical school? Is it shot at this point? Is that bad start too much of a burden to overcome, even if I excel for the rest of college? I know that it may not be impossible and this is something I want to do, but at the same time I know I should probably leave my options open I guess.

I expected to just relax this Christmas break, but unfortunately this has brought my mood down severely. I kinda just need a motivational boost from someone.
 
pato7

I don't know your situation, circumstances, etc but I am going to give my advice. To me, it sure sounds like you're an individual not yet ready for college.
College is hard not only because of the difficult classes and stiff competition (most people in science are likely pre-health, which is competitive), but also because of the difficulty in balancing volunteering, ECs, research, jobs, friends, family, sig. others, and yourself.

At this point, I would suggest taking a couple years off of school and working. Working in the real world may build up some motivation/desire to actually bust your ass in school.

You are only three semesters in, so don't worry.
 
hey ya pato,

I know exactly how you feel, I was in almost the same situation couple of years ago. It's okay, I think you still have a chance if you are willing to do the work.... As for xmas, you shouldn't just sit around do nothing, you should find something you enjoy doing that also helps in terms of getting into a med school (volunteer, shadow, community service, plan to start a club at school, play music...anythin!). 👍
 
pato7 said:
*sigh* I've decided that I'm going to transfer next year. My grades have not been good. Mentally, I don't feel good there. What I mean is that my confidence in my academic ability has dropped since being there. Now I need someone to be honest with me. Given the following:
-My GPA has gone from 2.97 to 2.19 to 1.97 in three semesters
-I have an F in Chemistry I (no one taught me about dropping and W's) and retook it and got a D (because of the final)

What do I have to do now to make it to medical school? Is it shot at this point? Is that bad start too much of a burden to overcome, even if I excel for the rest of college? I know that it may not be impossible and this is something I want to do, but at the same time I know I should probably leave my options open I guess.

I expected to just relax this Christmas break, but unfortunately this has brought my mood down severely. I kinda just need a motivational boost from someone.
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Yes, I think you would have a chance if you're willing to work for it. Thanks to AACOMAS, you can retake any classes you did bad in and replace the grade, so your GPA can definitely be raised.

A bad early start is commonplace when it comes to undergrad. If you begin a strong upward trend and retake the classes you did bad in, you can create a much better position for yourself.

Don't give up. Good luck! :luck:
 
pato, keep your heads up buddy. Look at it this way, if you start working extremely hard now and manage to pull above a 3.5 in all of your remaining semester, that will show adcoms you are dedicated, motivated, committed, and determined towards your studies. keep your heads up and start working hard now. its not too late.
 
Anyway, my gpa was 3.7 before and now it's 3.5. I'm doing really well in all my other classes averaging B- to A- in the sciences I know I can maintain my gpa, but I am really worried about Orgo. I know I have to retake Orgo but to still be in the program/go to the affiliated med school I need to take it at my college not elsewhere. I was thinking of taking it over the summer.
 
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RoadtoMed said:
So I am enrolled in a 7 year DO program. It's hard because since we're only in undergrad for three years, we're taking all of the science classes together basically, but anyway. The requirements of the program are that we maintain a cumulative gpa 3.5 or above and pass all of the pre-med requisites.

I failed Orgo I this semester, but due to some miscommunications with my advisor and stuff he said that he could change it to a U (unsatisfactory) since I had some family issues. However, I also admit that Organic Chem was very hard for me. I hate chem in general and love bio. I didn't slack off and studied like hell for every test, but I probably didn't study the right way. I wanted to withdraw but our teacher who apparently curved like a godsend last yr decided to toughen up this year and basically a lot of the kids ended up doing badly.

Anyway, my gpa was 3.7 before and now with failed Organic it's 3.5. I'm doing really well in all my other classes averaging B- to A- in the sciences I know I can maintain my gpa, but I am really worried about Orgo. I have never failed a class before and Orgo is such a big one. I know I have to retake Orgo but to still be in the program/go to the affiliated med school I need to take it at my college not elsewhere. I was thinking of taking it over the summer. Either way, if I get a U on my transcript and still do well in other courses, what are my chances at a DO school?
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Just retake it and do well in it the second time around and your chances will be fine for DO schools. No Worries.🙂
 
so here's my situation:
sophmore
CGPA: 2.4
Gen ChemI and II: C
Org: F
Physics: D

PLanning on retaking all the above classes/
what are my chances at DO school?
 
way too early to tell. You are only a sophomore in college. With your current grades, it will be extremely difficult to gain admission to any DO school. Like you said, I would retake those courses and try to get no less than B+ and aim for no less than a 25 on the MCAT. The averge GPA and MCAT for all DO schools is a 3.4-3.5 and a 25-26. Be sure to work hard starting now while maintaining your EC and i'm sure you will have a good chance. It's not too late. Start working hard now and it will pay off. Good luck
 
On my interview at VCOM, the interviewer told me that the first class he looks at when looking at a transcript was organic chemistry. So be sure to work hard your second time around to get no less than a B+. As long as you do well on your second time around, I wouldn't worry too much, especially if your grades in all your other classes are good. Keep your head up and work extremely hard to get a good grade your second time around. I did well in organic chemistry, and what I did was I would do all the questions in the chapter including the in chapter and end of chapter problems. Of course this takes a lot of time, and requires a lot of sacrifices on weekends, but if you do it, you will be rewarded!! I'm sure you will do a lot better your second time around.

On your interview, they WILL ask you about the U. As long as you give them your honest answer and show that you did well the second time around, I don't see why you will have an issue.

You will be fine, Good luck!
 
I agree with Hokie's strategy in doing practice problems from the text. That's exactly what I did at my 4-year public university and made A's while barely ever attending class. And I'm really not that smart. Struggled a bit in my upper-div bio classes, currently struggling a LOT in my master's. Good luck.
 
RoadtoMed said:
...Either way, if I get a U on my transcript and still do well in other courses, what are my chances at a DO school?
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Keep this in mind:

You have three chances to go to med school.

1) You fulfill the requirements of the 7-year program by re-taking the necessary courses and maintaining the required GPA.

2) You spend an extra year finishing your degree and apply at several schools just like everyone else.

3) You totally screw up and ruin your GPA. But, you do a post-bacc, improve your grades and turn around your life and apply just like all the other people who've gotten in that way.

You are far from out at this point because you still have many ways left to make things happen. The question really is what choices will you now make.
 
I started my undergrad with no study habits, and ended my first year with a 2.7 GPA. 😱 Since then, my studying has become more focused, and my grades have shown a gradual upward trend. I have worked to bring it up, and it is now a 3.1. After this next semester, I am hoping to boost it up more.

Also, the classes that I am taking now are higher level science classes. Will med schools consider the harder classes that I have taken (with upward trend), even if my GPA is below average?

I have not taken the MCAT, but I have taken several practice tests, and my score is usually around a 28-29.

What do you think? Do I have any chance at all? :luck:
 
Dutchess said:
I started my undergrad with no study habits, and ended my first year with a 2.7 GPA. 😱 Since then, my studying has become more focused, and my grades have shown a gradual upward trend. I have worked to bring it up, and it is now a 3.1. After this next semester, I am hoping to boost it up more.

Also, the classes that I am taking now are higher level science classes. Will med schools consider the harder classes that I have taken (with upward trend), even if my GPA is below average?

I have not taken the MCAT, but I have taken several practice tests, and my score is usually around a 28-29.

What do you think? Do I have any chance at all? :luck:
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I personally don't know much about whether they would factor in that you took harder classes (from my experience, they don't really).

However, in terms of the MCAT, keep in mind that you want your practice scores to be at least a few points ABOVE what you want to get on your MCAT since more often than not stress and other environmental factors give you a slightly lower score than your practice averages.
 
A bunch of D.O. schools don't have their applications due until Feb. 01, so I'm thinking about applying or trying the Carribeans.

Graduated in Dec. w/ a B.A. in Biology from UT-Austin
GPA: 3.13
sGPA: 2.88 (which includes all the upper-div bio stuff)
MCAT: 26 and I'm taking it again at the end of January
Likely to get a recommendation letter from a D.O.
E.C. kind of lacking

Still have a shot?
 
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nexus6 said:
A bunch of D.O. schools don't have their applications due until Feb. 01, so I'm thinking about applying or trying the Carribeans.

Graduated in Dec. w/ a B.A. in Biology from UT-Austin
GPA: 3.13
sGPA: 2.88 (which includes all the upper-div bio stuff)
MCAT: 26 and I'm taking it again at the end of January
Likely to get a recommendation letter from a D.O.
E.C. kind of lacking

Still have a shot?
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While your MCAT would probably get you by fine, your GPAs will become a huge issue since some schools will not even look at you with a GPA below 3.0. I would say focus on retaking science classes rather than the MCAT; you have to improve that GPA to stand a good chance.

Good luck! 🙂
 
hey guys,

I'm applying to DO schools right now and I really want to get into Touro-CA. They havent sent me the secondary yet, but it's coming pretty soon and I'll send it back in on the same day. I have a 3.66 and 30N with plenty of healthcare volutneer and non-health volunteering + leadership. Would it be too late? How fast do the spots fill up? Is it going to be okay?
 
It sounds like you will be fine; the only problem will be with the timing; if their class is filling up by the time you get an interview, you may be waitlisted. If so, hang in there and wait; there is usually some shuffling as things settle and people start accepting offers from other schools, etc.
 
I was just wondering what you guys would do in this situation. In Molecularcell Biology I made a "F" and in the Lab I made a "D" when I was at the University of West Georgia, I now attend Florida Gulf Coast University and they only offer Molecular biology and Cell Biology (2 difference courses). I know with DO programs you can retake a course and have the last grade counted, but molecularcell biology is not offered at the FGCU. Should I just chaulk it up as a loss or what would you guys do?
 
whether or not you are using DO as a backup, when you apply in late december with stats that are average for MD schools, the DO schools you apply to will be suspicious
regardless of all that, you are applying pretty late so thats the biggest thing going against you
your stats and ECs are good from what you've posted

edit: also, do no apply to just 1 school
 
This thread gives me hope.

My gpa is was/is good, but the chemistry classes always kill me. My gpa is now a 3.55.

What should I do?
 
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RoadtoMed said:
This thread gives me hope.

My gpa is was/is good, but the chemistry classes always kill me. I had a 3.87 first sem with my lowest a B+ in Gen Chem I, then my overall was a 3.66 with a C in Gen Chem II. Sophomore yr I got a U (Unsatisfactory which is C- and below in my school) in Organic I and a B- or C (grades haven't been finalized) in Physics. My gpa is now a 3.55.

What should I do?
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What's your science GPA?

I would say retake the classes you got a C or less in and you'll be fine.
 
ftmyerskid35 said:
I was just wondering what you guys would do in this situation. In Molecularcell Biology I made a "F" and in the Lab I made a "D" when I was at the University of West Georgia, I now attend Florida Gulf Coast University and they only offer Molecular biology and Cell Biology (2 difference courses). I know with DO programs you can retake a course and have the last grade counted, but molecularcell biology is not offered at the FGCU. Should I just chaulk it up as a loss or what would you guys do?
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Contact AACOMAS [301-968-4190] and ask if one of the courses could substitute for the combined MolCell Bio course. In order for this to be the case, the new class would have to be AT LEAST as many credit hours as the combined MolCell Bio course. :luck:
 
Hey. I am not sure of what I should do. I receieved a "D" in gen. chem this last semester. I just transferred schools due to having many personal problems, which may have affected my grades. However, I am not able to redo it due to not taking it at my current institution. Plus, it's not getting transferred since I needed a C, but it will still be on my transcript if I apply to med. school. I know I can do better, but my GPA will still be horrible. Any advice? Thanks.
 
Harsh Reality said:
Hey. I am not sure of what I should do. I receieved a "D" in gen. chem this last semester. I just transferred schools due to having many personal problems, which may have affected my grades. However, I am not able to redo it due to not taking it at my current institution. Plus, it's not getting transferred since I needed a C, but it will still be on my transcript if I apply to med. school. I know I can do better, but my GPA will still be horrible. Any advice? Thanks.
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wait, just to make sure i understand you correctly. You took gen chem at your last school and got the D. You transferred after that. You now don't know what to do and have to retake it. correct?

well, since you are retaking it, AACOMAS (DO application) will replace the grade, meaning the D will be on there, but the better grade will be what counts towards your gpa. AMCAS will average it I think.
 
Harsh Reality said:
Hey. I am not sure of what I should do. I receieved a "D" in gen. chem this last semester. I just transferred schools due to having many personal problems, which may have affected my grades. However, I am not able to redo it due to not taking it at my current institution. Plus, it's not getting transferred since I needed a C, but it will still be on my transcript if I apply to med. school. I know I can do better, but my GPA will still be horrible. Any advice? Thanks.
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You have to retake it at your new school. Gen Chem is Gen Chem no matter where it's taught.
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Contact AACOMAS [301-968-4190] and ask if one of the courses could substitute for the combined MolCell Bio course. In order for this to be the case, the new class would have to be AT LEAST as many credit hours as the combined MolCell Bio course. :luck:
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You are awesome. Thanks for the info. I will give them a call tomorrow. 👍
 
I am an international student with GPA 3.86, science GPA 3.85
1st MCAT 25L, 6V 8B 11P. 2nd MCAT 23L 8V 8B 7P.
40 hours of volunteering work
LORs from B.S program director, B.S professors and D.O

Applied to KCOM, CCOM, AZCOM, PCOM, PCOM-GA for 2009. AACOMAS application only released on 12/24/2008.

Do I have any chance to get in for 2008 or do I have a better chance to get in for 2010?

Thanks.
 
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Here are my major application points and my cirumstances. I was a Micro-Molecular Biology at UCF. I had a 3.37 cum GPA, science of 3.2 but my upper division electives was 3.6 (no idea why I got better grades in my harder sciences classes). I got a 25Q V9 P8 B8. I only have decent numbers so I am counting on my ECs to get me in.

I was on the Men's Varisty Crew team at UCF for 3 1/2 years 28+/week. I was an anatomy TA for 1.5 years at 20+/week. I shadowed a neurosurgeon for a semester internship 4hrs/week. I got in with a neurologist partner of his for 1 month. Both were MDs. I have been shadowing a D.O. at Suncoast Medical now since 2006 on holidays and weekends. Now that I graduated (Aug) I pull a shift of 12 hours with him every week. I volunteered at the ICU at Orlando Regional during a summer.

Now heres the problem. I just recieved a rejection form Midwestern CCOM and was put on hold at DMU (they wont look at it till april and then only if there are some spots left). Fortunately those are not my main choices..LECOM and NSU are.I am really worried that there is something majorly wrong with my application for 2 schools to rejected me so soon. I thought I had a very strong app.

I would appreciate any feedback if anyone notices any weaknesses. What else can I do right now to strengthen my app?
 
Thats my bad for not clarifying my D.O. shadowing experience. He is a ER physician so I am working 12+ hour shifts with him in the emergency room since early August. That is 240+ hours of clinical work in a DO heavy teaching hospital. I figured that would cover the volunteer - hospital section. I plan on continuing there for at least 3-4 more months.

With this information does that change anything?
 
Mordhrin said:
Here are my major application points and my cirumstances. I was a Micro-Molecular Biology at UCF. I had a 3.37 cum GPA, science of 3.2 but my upper division electives was 3.6 (no idea why I got better grades in my harder sciences classes). I got a 25Q V9 P8 B8. I only have decent numbers so I am counting on my ECs to get me in.

I was on the Men's Varisty Crew team at UCF for 3 1/2 years 28+/week. I was an anatomy TA for 1.5 years at 20+/week. I shadowed a neurosurgeon for a semester internship 4hrs/week. I got in with a neurologist partner of his for 1 month. Both were MDs. I have been shadowing a D.O. at Suncoast Medical now since 2006 on holidays and weekends. Now that I graduated (Aug) I pull a shift of 12 hours with him every week. I volunteered at the ICU at Orlando Regional during a summer.

Now heres the problem. I just recieved a rejection form Midwestern CCOM and was put on hold at DMU (they wont look at it till april and then only if there are some spots left). Fortunately those are not my main choices..LECOM and NSU are.I am really worried that there is something majorly wrong with my application for 2 schools to rejected me so soon. I thought I had a very strong app.

I would appreciate any feedback if anyone notices any weaknesses. What else can I do right now to strengthen my app?
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Those are probably two of the more selective osteopathic schools, so maybe you'll have better luck with your remaining apps. Nothing really wrong with your app, just that your GPA and MCAT are very average for DO schools, meaning that they don't set you apart from the pack. If you dont get in this year, just retake the MCAT and try and bump that score up 3-4 pts and you'll be golden.
 
2.8 overall G.P.A although, after the next two quarters it should hit around a 3.04...had a rough year...the past quarter I got a D in the first biochem and a D in Anatomy and phys I (my G.P.A for the quarter dropped to a 1.833...my own fault I was taking alot of science courses🙁)...Im retaking the Anat but continuing on to the second biochem (Ive been working on it all break and I should end up with an A in both of those courses) and Ill be retaking the first biochem come fall of 09...im taking the MCAT in may and Ive started studying for some time now and I think I can post high (hopefully around a 28-31)...My heart is really set on applying during this upcoming 09 cycle...starting this june...do you think I should go for it?? I really want to...im getting my B.S. in biology 2010 (it will be my fifth year)...Im retaking a couple of courses this summer as well...do you think i can apply and then update my application after I get my biochem I grade in fall of 09...let me know of your thoughts...Ive been also volunteering in the ER for approximately a year and work as an SD tech in the hospital...have two letters of rec from profs...Im still trying to get one from a D.O. doctor...thank you so much guys 🙂
 
I have already posted this thread under the what are my chances place...but I felt like no one will ever find me since I was on the 44th page of the thread so I thought I would get your attention this way...please forgive me for the inconvenience that Ive caused SDN...Im sorry😳
I have a 2.8 overall G.P.A although after the next two quarters it should hit around a 3.04 (should go higher with the retakes of the classes based on the AACOMAS)...had a rough year...the past quarter I got a D in the first biochem and a D in Anatomy and phys I (my G.P.A for the quarter dropped to a 1.833...my own fault I was taking alot of science courses🙁)...Im retaking the Anat but continuing on to the second biochem (Ive been working on it all break and I should end up with an A in both of those courses) and Ill be retaking the first biochem come fall of 09...im taking the MCAT in may and Ive started studying for some time now and I think I can post high (hopefully around a 28-31)...My heart is really set on applying during this upcoming 09 cycle...starting this june...do you think I should go for it?? I really want to...im getting my B.S. in biology 2010 (it will be my fifth year)...Im retaking a couple of courses this summer as well...do you think i can apply and then update my application after I get my biochem I grade in fall of 09...let me know of your thoughts...Ive been also volunteering in the ER for approximately a year and work as an SD tech in the hospital...have two letters of rec from profs...Im still trying to get one from a D.O. doctor...thank you so much guys 🙂
 
Hey guys

Cum GPA 3.15
science GPA 3.25
MCAT 27 O
bangin personal statement and recommendations
only have 30 hours of volunteering at a hospital and a day trip to shadow a physician in DC from the military. I have a lot of extra curricular activities though and I am president of my fraternity. I only recently sent in my secondary- december 22- to PCOM, do you think I still got a shot even though its real late?
 
Hi,
I will be starting med school Fall, 2009, I have not yet decided where. I have an Ochem lab (4 credits) and a Physiology lab (1 cr.) to finish. I also have a English course I am doing independently and it is half done.

It looks like LECOM needs 6 credits of behavioral sciences. I do have an interview w/ LECOM-B in Jan. and I am interested in considering this school. LECOM-B folks told me I do not need to complete the OChem lab because they took a biochem class I completed in stead. UMDNJ (DO) and SLU (MD) also have behavioral sciences requirements and I have not received an interview from either one of these schools so far.

I am not sure if I should do all of them this fall. Mainly because of $$$. I am thinking I could skip Ochem lab if I get in at LECOM-B but if I get an interview from some where else in April, I will not be able to attend because of the missing OChem lab.

So, should I do the OChem lab? Or the beh. sciences or both?
Thanks!
 
hi guys

im a bit concerned and was wondering if i can get some suggestions

i graduated from a university this past June and decided to retake some lower div classes at a community college
i re-took G-chem and Calculus.

at my previous university i got a C in both classes so i retook them

thankfully, i got an A in the G-chem class, but i got a C in my calculus class again!! I dont know what happened, i ended up with a crappy teacher.

im concerned because i got the same grade in math

what should i do? freakin MATH!
 
yezzur said:
hi guys

im a bit concerned and was wondering if i can get some suggestions

i graduated from a university this past June and decided to retake some lower div classes at a community college
i re-took G-chem and Calculus.

at my previous university i got a C in both classes so i retook them

thankfully, i got an A in the G-chem class, but i got a C in my calculus class again!! I dont know what happened, i ended up with a crappy teacher.

im concerned because i got the same grade in math

what should i do? freakin MATH!
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Well, there is good and bad to your situation: The bad...a C replaced with a C is no improvement, but it's not a fail.
The Good: Calculus WILL NOT count on your science GPA for D.O. schools...so, your science GPA will improve with the C to an A in chemistry and it will not change due to the C in Calc. I would not retake Calc anymore....a C is passing, so let it be. Good luck!
 
Deepa100 said:
Hi,
I will be starting med school Fall, 2009, I have not yet decided where. I have an Ochem lab (4 credits) and a Physiology lab (1 cr.) to finish. I also have a English course I am doing independently and it is half done.

It looks like LECOM needs 6 credits of behavioral sciences. I do have an interview w/ LECOM-B in Jan. and I am interested in considering this school. LECOM-B folks told me I do not need to complete the OChem lab because they took a biochem class I completed in stead. UMDNJ (DO) and SLU (MD) also have behavioral sciences requirements and I have not received an interview from either one of these schools so far.

I am not sure if I should do all of them this fall. Mainly because of $$$. I am thinking I could skip Ochem lab if I get in at LECOM-B but if I get an interview from some where else in April, I will not be able to attend because of the missing OChem lab.

So, should I do the OChem lab? Or the beh. sciences or both?
Thanks!
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Do you mean "spring"? Because fall semester is over and you are starting med school next fall. So, if you mean "spring," you have to make your decision soon, before you go to LECOM-B. That would mean you're relegating yourself to a school you haven't interviewed at, which doesn't seem wise. I'd take all the necessary classes at a community college, personally. Though they might not offer them at the times you need or there may not be any in your area.

But this whole response may have been based on a false assumption on my part.
 
Deepa100 said:
Hi,
I will be starting med school Fall, 2009, I have not yet decided where. I have an Ochem lab (4 credits) and a Physiology lab (1 cr.) to finish. I also have a English course I am doing independently and it is half done.

It looks like LECOM needs 6 credits of behavioral sciences. I do have an interview w/ LECOM-B in Jan. and I am interested in considering this school. LECOM-B folks told me I do not need to complete the OChem lab because they took a biochem class I completed in stead. UMDNJ (DO) and SLU (MD) also have behavioral sciences requirements and I have not received an interview from either one of these schools so far.

I am not sure if I should do all of them this fall. Mainly because of $$$. I am thinking I could skip Ochem lab if I get in at LECOM-B but if I get an interview from some where else in April, I will not be able to attend because of the missing OChem lab.

So, should I do the OChem lab? Or the beh. sciences or both?
Thanks!
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I second CB's advice...you don't want to close any doors! Especially if you haven't walked through any yet.
Take ALL classes that you might potentially need so you are not standing out in the rain come next fall.
Besides, Ochem lab was BY FAR the BEST lab I took in college!!! 😀 It might be a little extra work to do them all, but better safe than sorry.
 
planetvenus87 said:
I have a 2.8 overall G.P.A although after the next two quarters it should hit around a 3.04 (should go higher with the retakes of the classes based on the AACOMAS)...had a rough year...the past quarter I got a D in the first biochem and a D in Anatomy and phys I (my G.P.A for the quarter dropped to a 1.833...my own fault I was taking alot of science courses🙁)...Im retaking the Anat but continuing on to the second biochem (Ive been working on it all break and I should end up with an A in both of those courses) and Ill be retaking the first biochem come fall of 09...im taking the MCAT in may and Ive started studying for some time now and I think I can post high (hopefully around a 28-31)...My heart is really set on applying during this upcoming 09 cycle...starting this june...do you think I should go for it?? I really want to...im getting my B.S. in biology 2010 (it will be my fifth year)...Im retaking a couple of courses this summer as well...do you think i can apply and then update my application after I get my biochem I grade in fall of 09...let me know of your thoughts...Ive been also volunteering in the ER for approximately a year and work as an SD tech in the hospital...have two letters of rec from profs...Im still trying to get one from a D.O. doctor...thank you so much guys 🙂
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Retake your D's. Yes, you can apply and update with your Fall grades. Do you have some science course C's you could make up?

Are you sure you're going to be able to handle the Spring semester + pulling a 30 on the MCAT? You struggled bigtime last semester--what's changed? Taking a bunch of science classes and studying at a 30+ level is a challenge. I did it, and so have many others, but your D's and 1.83 don't give me that much confidence in your current time management/study habits.

I'm not trying to be condescending here, but medical school is often 30+ credit hours, where undergrad is 15. What have you done to ensure you come out with a strong performance at the end of undergrad + MCAT, and maximize your chances at being successful in med school? I know you said you've self-studied to remediate your D in Biochem I, but have you addressed why you did so poorly this semester?
 
Hey Chocolate Bear,
Thank you so much for replying. I had a downward trend this past year because of family issues that were occuring...I was basically without a room and slept on the floor for the entire year in the basement and was not eating and sleeping much as a result which led to the disasterous fall quarter G.P.A. I should have tried to find a method to block out all of the things that were occuring at home but was unable to and so both my health and my studying declined severely. I took a hard look at myself this past break and decided that I needed to become impassive to these issues right now because it was hurting me very much academically. Ive been diligently studying for the MCAT everyday since then and have pin pointed what I did wrong this past quarter study wise...I noticed that I was not balancing my studying (time management as you aptly put it) for each subject in a good way, which led to neglecting some subjects and not doing to hot on the ones I was concentrating. I want to get there and I will do everything in my power...I do have a couple of Cs in molecular biology and genetics which I intend on retaking in the spring quarter and Im retaking a general chem II class that I had gotten a D in, in my freshman year, so yes I will make it up. what do you think? and thank you so so much...I have always liked the way you answer to threads and the fact that you are extremely nice and informitive 🙂
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Do you mean "spring"? Because fall semester is over and you are starting med school next fall. So, if you mean "spring," you have to make your decision soon, before you go to LECOM-B. That would mean you're relegating yourself to a school you haven't interviewed at, which doesn't seem wise. I'd take all the necessary classes at a community college, personally. Though they might not offer them at the times you need or there may not be any in your area.

But this whole response may have been based on a false assumption on my part.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I already registered for all of it. I don't do the CC for personal reasons. I do the psych classes online/independent study and the local cc do not offer those. If I have to go to a class, I have to pay for the day care so, I would rather do them by myself. As far as science classes go, I don't have the option to go to the cc because I am stuck with the U's curriculum. They have 6 cr. of Ochem and 4 cr. of lab and what's left is the lab. So, I can't get it anywhere else👎

I appreciate your response.🙂
 
planetvenus87 said:
Hey Chocolate Bear,
Thank you so much for replying. I had a downward trend this past year because of family issues that were occuring...I was basically without a room and slept on the floor for the entire year in the basement and was not eating and sleeping much as a result which led to the disasterous fall quarter G.P.A. I should have tried to find a method to block out all of the things that were occuring at home but was unable to and so both my health and my studying declined severely. I took a hard look at myself this past break and decided that I needed to become impassive to these issues right now because it was hurting me very much academically. Ive been diligently studying for the MCAT everyday since then and have pin pointed what I did wrong this past quarter study wise...I noticed that I was not balancing my studying (time management as you aptly put it) for each subject in a good way, which led to neglecting some subjects and not doing to hot on the ones I was concentrating. I want to get there and I will do everything in my power...I do have a couple of Cs in molecular biology and genetics which I intend on retaking in the spring quarter and Im retaking a general chem II class that I had gotten a D in, in my freshman year, so yes I will make it up. what do you think? and thank you so so much...I have always liked the way you answer to threads and the fact that you are extremely nice and informitive 🙂
Click to expand...

It sounds like you know why you didn't perform well and should be prepared to turn things around. I think you have a solid plan, and I don't see why you couldn't get in next year. Do well on the MCAT and your retakes, and see where you are after the spring. You may still need the fall to continue making improvements, but even that wouldn't be the end of the world.

Best of luck! 🙂
 
i have a 3.25 gpa with a 33Q mcat. does anyone think i will be able to get into touro-com ny, or nycom this late in the game?
 
Hi Chocolate Bear!

i would be applying right now for 2009.

I have a 3.33 for nonbpcm
3.16 for bpcm
and 3.25 overall

12 P, 11 V, and 10 B and Q
im currently working as a research assistant for a biotech company. i have been working for two years now. i am going onto my third. i have authorship for a publication in a major journal, and i have several more in the pipeline. i volunteer for the central park ems unit, work with the local animal shelter, tutored people for their ged, worked with chinese restaurant workers to fight for fair treatment. i design websites for fun, and i am working towards a blue belt in bjj. i was a biomedical engineer at boston university.

Chocolate Bear said:
Would you be applying right now for 2009 or waiting til next year to apply?

Care to give some more details about your experiences/app?
Click to expand...
 
JPanda said:
Hi Chocolate Bear!

i would be applying right now for 2009.

I have a 3.33 for nonbpcm
3.16 for bpcm
and 3.25 overall

12 P, 11 V, and 10 B and Q
im currently working as a research assistant for a biotech company. i have been working for two years now. i am going onto my third. i have authorship for a publication in a major journal, and i have several more in the pipeline. i volunteer for the central park ems unit, work with the local animal shelter, tutored people for their ged, worked with chinese restaurant workers to fight for fair treatment. i design websites for fun, and i am working towards a blue belt in bjj. i was a biomedical engineer at boston university.
Click to expand...

Hey! 🙂

Your MCAT is above average. Nice work.

Your GPA may be different for AACOMAS than it is for AMCAS. The term "BCPM" doesn't work for DO schools, since they don't count Math as "science," and they add a bunch of courses that don't fall under BCPM that will fall into the sciGPA category. AACOMAS also replaces retaken course grades rather than averaging like AMCAS. See my posts here for more info.

Your ECs/experiences look very good and will give you lots to talk about.

My only question is if you've shadowed any physicians. Some schools want a LOR from a doc, and some of those want it from a DO doc, in particular. See the link in my signature for more info about this. Shadowing a DO will make it much easier to answer the common secondary question, "Why DO?" That being said, plenty of people get into schools without such experience or such a letter. However, it's getting later in the season, and I'd encourage you to keep more doors open than closed at this point.
 
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